Flat Rock revises land use plan, wants to manage growth

Published: Thursday, April 11, 2013 at 8:15 p.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, April 11, 2013 at 8:15 p.m.

Flat Rock Village Council is set to take up a revised Comprehensive Land Use Plan in May that replaces the municipality's 1998 plan and complements its 2004 strategies for growth.

The new draft is available for review at the village hall off of Greenville Highway.

The draft includes the village's vision and ideas for actions, future land use and implementation. Actions are broken down into six topics: land use, open space and recreation, historic preservation, transportation, utilities and waste and intergovernmental coordination.

"Flat Rock desires limited growth managed consistently with its character and complementary to existing development," the draft says. "Nearly all of the land within the village is held in private ownership. The village respects ownership rights and believes in limiting regulations and mandates on individual properties. Striking a proper balance between managing growth and property rights will require cooperative partnerships, proactive involvement with new development, preemptive planning and vigilant monitoring."

The goal noted for land use is to "maintain current land use and patterns and densities within and adjacent to the village, with a focus on limiting nonresidential development, permitting single-family detached residential uses, and encouraging the conservation of open space."

The population of Flat Rock is expected to more than double by 2035 (with up to 6,535 residents), the plan says.

The draft calls for maintaining and enhancing "quality, meaningful open space and recreational opportunities."

Another goal is to "preserve the unique history of Flat Rock by protecting historic sites from destruction, inappropriate reuse and development, and the encroachment of incompatible land uses."

In transportation, the goal is to "maintain and improve transportation infrastructure and choices within the village that respect and reinforce village character."

In utilities and waste, the goal is to "maintain adequate utilities and waste disposal options to meet the needs of village residents while minimizing adverse impacts of utilities and waste on community appearance, environmental quality and safety."

The last goal in actions is to "maintain and promote intergovernmental coordination and cooperation as a means of addressing land development issues in order to safeguard and promote the interests of Flat Rock."

<p>Flat Rock Village Council is set to take up a revised Comprehensive Land Use Plan in May that replaces the municipality's 1998 plan and complements its 2004 strategies for growth.</p><p>The new draft is available for review at the village hall off of Greenville Highway.</p><p>The draft includes the village's vision and ideas for actions, future land use and implementation. Actions are broken down into six topics: land use, open space and recreation, historic preservation, transportation, utilities and waste and intergovernmental coordination.</p><p>"Flat Rock desires limited growth managed consistently with its character and complementary to existing development," the draft says. "Nearly all of the land within the village is held in private ownership. The village respects ownership rights and believes in limiting regulations and mandates on individual properties. Striking a proper balance between managing growth and property rights will require cooperative partnerships, proactive involvement with new development, preemptive planning and vigilant monitoring."</p><p>The goal noted for land use is to "maintain current land use and patterns and densities within and adjacent to the village, with a focus on limiting nonresidential development, permitting single-family detached residential uses, and encouraging the conservation of open space."</p><p>The population of Flat Rock is expected to more than double by 2035 (with up to 6,535 residents), the plan says.</p><p>The draft calls for maintaining and enhancing "quality, meaningful open space and recreational opportunities."</p><p>Another goal is to "preserve the unique history of Flat Rock by protecting historic sites from destruction, inappropriate reuse and development, and the encroachment of incompatible land uses."</p><p>In transportation, the goal is to "maintain and improve transportation infrastructure and choices within the village that respect and reinforce village character."</p><p>In utilities and waste, the goal is to "maintain adequate utilities and waste disposal options to meet the needs of village residents while minimizing adverse impacts of utilities and waste on community appearance, environmental quality and safety."</p><p>The last goal in actions is to "maintain and promote intergovernmental coordination and cooperation as a means of addressing land development issues in order to safeguard and promote the interests of Flat Rock."</p><p>The plan has not yet been adopted by council.</p>